Archive

Posts Tagged ‘words’

Eye On Integrity-Edifying Words

May 11th, 2018 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Ephesians 4:29.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

In the transfer of materials, filters are meant to screen out impurities and let liquid pass through. Similarly, in the transfer of our thoughts into words, it is helpful to use the right filter. This is the filter that will help us screen out the bad words and let the good words pour into people’s lives in an edifying way.

Ephesians 4:15 tells us to speak the truth in love. That’s the filter. It applies to the words we speak, and also the words we communicate in social media.

Talking with edifying words is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Promise of Hope-Guarded Words

May 25th, 2017 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Proverbs 21:23.

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

This does not mean that we will never experience calamity, but it does mean that our carefully guarded words will protect us from future regrets.

What are the kinds of careless words that can come back to bite us? Gossip, slander, deception, angry outbursts, and profanity use words words that are toxic to the atmosphere and harmful to our spiritual health. This is a dangerous path leading to conflict and lack of trust.

But instead of thinking how to use our words for harmful purposes, we can breathe life into the atmosphere with words of praise, honesty, gratitude, and encouragement. These are ways that we can build trust in relationships and bring glory to God.

Avoiding the calamity of using careless words is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Categories: John Shirk, Staff Pages Tags:

Moment Of Celebration-Wholesome Words

July 1st, 2014 No comments

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the uplifting impact of wholesome words.

The Apostle Paul gave the church this instruction in Ephesians 4:29-“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

This is relevant for the way we speak to other people, what we write in emails, and how we use social media. The use of blogs, Twitter, and Facebook can be used to edify other people, but these forms of communication are also used sometimes to air out complaints and grievances that hurt other people.

When communicating with others, Ephesians 4:29 gives us some good parameters to use when considering what to say and how to say it. Is what I am saying wholesome? Does it represent a holy God? Is what I am saying helpful? Will my words be timely and encouraging for building up their faith in the Lord? In the Kingdom of God, words matter, and when we use them wisely, God’s name is honored, God’s people are built up, and God’s foes are confronted with a new way of thinking that challenges them to embrace God’s love and stop resisting it.

The uplifting impact of wholesome words is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Win Hawk Nelson’s New CD

April 2nd, 2013 8 comments

Hawk Nelson‘s new CD “Made” releases Tuesday, April 2nd.  We’re giving it away this week to somebody who comments on our blogs at www.WJTL.com!  So, leave your comments and you’ll automatically be entered to win our Feedback Giveback prize of the week.  (And keep listening to WJTL for Hawk Nelson’s new song “Words” with Mercy Me frontman, Bart Millard!)

[tubepress video=”yaW-bG6y_5A”]

LIFE APPLICATION TRUTH-FOR GOD’S GLORY

November 1st, 2012 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – From Colossians 3:17.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Christian faith is meant to be full-time, not compartmentalized. So, when we are in Christ, that is our identity, and wherever we go, that is an opportunity for His influence to shine through us.

This passage points out the importance of our words when representing Jesus. Will we speak the truth in love? Will our conversation encourage people to love the Lord with a fully devoted heart? Will we praise God with the words we say?

This passage also emphasizes the use of our deeds to honor God, which includes being available to serve God with our gifts and abilities, whether through teaching, music, hospitality, or generous giving. These are just a few ways that the love of God compels us to serve others so that they might be drawn to Jesus Christ.

Serving God with a grateful heart is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Categories: John Shirk, Staff Pages Tags: , ,